Inspiring USA-Ink: Announcing Free Tattoos For Veterans
By Jack Sercu
You’re probably thinking, “Wow, that’s a sweet tattoo” —because it is.
And if you knew the reason somebody had it, and the way they got it, you'd like it even more.
Reader, meet Branded Warriors Inc. Branded Warriors Inc, meet reader.
BWI was established in March of 2016, with a mission to help put an end to the 22 vets that take their lives every day.
Their method of doing that is tattoo therapy. Founder and CEO Brian Conwell was moved to start BWI after tattoo therapy helped him cope with many of the issues he sustained in 10 years in the Army.
Once a veteran contacts BWI, it coordinates payments for a local tattoo shop to give the veteran a tattoo, using the money they raise. Leading up to the tattoo, Conwell has lots of vet-to-vet conversations. Following that, the veteran goes in themselves, meets with the artist, then designs and receives the tattoo.
How you can help:
If you're a tattoo artist...
You can donate your time and materials to make a tattoo free for the veteran, which is also tax deductible. Contact bconwell0@gmail.com if interested in doing so.
If you own tattoo shop...
You can donate your service which is also tax deductible, and results earns your business BWI-preferred status. Perks also include free advertising on social media and and radio. Contact the above email address if interested.
If you're in the area...
Attend a local fundraiser like the Halloween Fundraiser in Phoenix, AZ this Saturday, October 29th (details below), or the America Helping Our Veterans, Our Heroes event on November 19th in Greenville, South Carolina.
If you can't make it...
You can still buy tickets to the raffles that will take place at the fundraisers. Get yours from anywhere around the country by emailing jamie777miller@yahoo.com Prizes include a shotgun and other items.
If you want to do a straight donation...
Donate to their GoFundMe
Tattoos are very important to veterans, and they serve as a tangible form of expression, allowing them to express their feelings, previous events or anything else they would like to. In addition to coordinating tattoos, BWI serves as a friend and mentor to the veterans if they are struggling.
Disabled Army Vet in TN, I’ve got a tatto that could use fixing from a BF battle. It was supposed to be my airborne wings, and it’s an odd shaped outline at the moment. Would like to get it fixed/finished to display it proudly, but times are hard.
I’m a wounded veteran in Tucson. Things have been a bit tough lately, wanted to know if there’s a shop here in AZ I can get in touch with? Thanks for starting this organization.
Army veteran that spent 9 years in with a year long deployment in Iraq. I have ideas for a tattoo that I want to symbolize my time in the Army and my current law Enforcement career, I just can’t afford it. I live in the Boulder area in Colorado.
Army veteran that spent 9 years in with a year long deployment in Iraq. I have ideas for a tattoo that I want to symbolize my time in the Army and my current law Enforcement career, I just can’t afford it. I live in the Boulder area in Colorado.
Is there a way as a disabled vet to sign up for a tattoo?
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